First, I’ll be upfront and honest here. I do not know much and there’s little doubt that many of you know more than I on the matter, but for all intents and purposes, there are spoilers in this article. If you can deal with that, then read on. Otherwise, immediately close this window, go scrub yourself clean in the shower and forget you ever clicked on this link.

It was the TRON panel at D23 Expo where I was first introduced to the concept. From 1982 to 2010 is a long time and given the advances in technology both on and off-screen, it would be simple enough to just jump from one lightcycle to the next and noone would suspect a thing. But the panel, which included TRON: Legacy director Joe Kosinksi, producer Sean Bailey and TRON director, writer and creator Steven Lisberger, detailed the process: there are not two lightcycles, but several generations of them, as would be expected to happen over 28 years in the ‘real world.’ Even though we may not be exposed to all of what occurs between 1982 and 2010, the TRON: Legacy team meticulously planned the evolution — from the technology to the programs that use it.

One of the highlights of last year’s San Diego Comic-con was the introduction of Flynn’s Arcade. Attendees who successfully negotiated a scavenger hunt were treated to a visit to an off-site location where Flynn’s from the original TRON film had been faithfully re-created, fully stocked with arcade games from the period. After a short period of time, the TRON arcade game, front-and-center along the back wall, would move and reveal a secret backroom where they would find the now famous TRON Legacy Lightcycle in all its glory.

In short, it was one of the key reasons why I decided to embark on a journey to this year’s San Diego Comic-con, my first. Although I wouldn’t know about the return of the Arcade until much later after I had made my travel arrangements, I also heard that the Lightcycle this year would be replaced with something even more amazing. Missing this experience was just not an option.

New footage and the new TRON Legacy trailer at the San Diego Comic-Con panel weren’t the only surprises up Walt Disney Studios’ sleeve. After the panel supposedly ended and many had scattered, moderator Patton Oswalt introduced a couple of new juicy items for those who remained.

Reminiscent of the Studios’ D23 Expo presentation, those who left early failed once again to see Captain Jack Sparrow himself. Not in the flesh this time however, Johnny Depp as Sparrow made a 3D appeal to the audience denying he was involved in gathering up a crew on a quest to find the fountain of youth. Zombies, mermaids and Penelope Cruz were enough to fight off any interest he may have had embarking on the quest and — he adds quite simply — he’d need a bloody map to find it — or at least a bloody mary, if not both.

On the heels of the success and industry recognition in the U.S. for its innovative format with the recently launched “Toy Story 3” app as well as with its “Toy Story,” “Toy Story 2,” and “The Princess and the Frog” read-along apps, Disney Publishing Worldwide has created its first ever international versions of the “Toy Story” read-along app for iPad.

Launching on July 20th in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, the “Toy Story” apps will each feature songs and movie clips in French, German, Italian and Spanish. The app will have special promotional pricing for a limited time at €2.99 through August 31st; pricing will then shift to €6.99. The Disney-Pixar feature film Toy Story 3 will launch in Europe throughout late July.

“Aulani will represent a new way for every member of the family to enjoy a vacation in Hawaii,” said Djuan Rivers, Vice President of Aulani. “It is designed so that parents, children and guests of any age can find their own kind of fun and relaxation. Families will experience the island in ways they might never have discovered before.”

We previously announced the ‘LOST’ exhibit and memorobilia auction being held by Profiles in History in Santa Monica on August 21 and 22, 2010.

Profiles in History has graciously provided us with hi-res photos of some of the items that will be going up on the auction block to some very lucky bidders. In addition, the auction preview gallery is now live on Profile in History’s website here.

ABC News today announced the release of a new application for the Apple iPad, available in the Apple App Store. The new application takes full advantage of the form and functionality of the iPad, using as the principal navigation tool a unique interactive three dimensional globe on which news stories appear. The launch of the ABC News iPad app marks the second time in recent months that the Disney/ABC Television Group has created an innovative video offering for the new platform. In April, DATG became the first to bring ad-supported video to the iPad via the acclaimed ABC Player app which has proven to be tremendously successful, with more than 928,000 downloads and 5.9 million episodes started in just over three months.